Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 493: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he has made an order under section 10 of the Vocational Education (Amendment) Act 2001 to grant vocational education committees the authority to operate two primary schools (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5680/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Draft legislation to put in place a legal framework which will facilitate the involvement of Vocational Education Committees (VECs) in the provision of primary education is currently in preparation in my Department. No order has been made under Section 10 of the Vocational Education (Amendment) Act 2001. Having considered the matter it has been decided that it is proper that the role and responsibility of VECs in relation to the patronage of primary schools should be set forth in primary legislation and brought before the Oireachtas in due course. As the Deputy will be aware, VECs currently operate in the area of further and continuing education. If their remit is to be expanded to encompass primary education it is desirable that this should be done by primary legislation setting out the nature and extent of their duties and voted upon by the Houses of the Oireachtas.